Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 31st, 2017 3:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

A windy day in store for tomorrow. Watch steeper terrain at treeline and alpine elevations as wind slabs are lingering. South aspects will likely be crusty.

Summary

Confidence

Weather Forecast

Increasing winds overnight and into tomorrow. Ridge top winds re predicted to be in 50-60km/hr mark. Scattered flurries will give a few more centimeters by the end of tomorrow. Alpine high of -4 with a freezing level of 2000m.

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanches were noted, however they were small and inconsequential.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm came in from last night's storm. This new snow settled and quickly bonded as the temps warmed up today. On south aspects and low elevations, the new snow lies on an existing crust and on more polar aspects it rests on drier snow. There was evidence of ongoing wind transport and new windlslabs at treeline and above with a widespread distribution. By early afternoon, any solar aspect had moist snow with some pinwheeling and wet rock from melting.

Problems

Wind Slabs

The older windslabs are more prevalent in the alpine while the fresh windslabs extend down to treeline. These will grow with the forecasted winds and new/available snow.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopesBe careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

This deep layer is still a threat in any avalanche terrain that hasn't previously avalanched.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Apr 1st, 2017 2:00PM